Map-case



'tion of the cases. f

iran raras' THOMAS KANE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MAP-CASE.

PECIFICATION forming part o1' Letters Patent No. 358,276, dated February 22, 1887.

Application tiled April 20, 1886. Serial No. 199,513.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS KANE, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain Improvements in Map-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to that well-known class of map-cases in which a case orcabinet is provided with a series of horizontal spring-actuated rolls, each having a single map attached thereto in such manner that the maps may be drawn downward and exposed one at a time.

In practice much trouble and annoyance is encountered by the reason of the accidental displacement or disconnection of the rolls, particularly during the shipment or transporta- It is the particular aim of my invention to avoid this difficulty by locking the series of rollers securely in place in their bearings.

To this end the invention consists, essentially, in combining with the rolls and inclosing-case an adjustable plate in whicha series of rolls is sustained at one end, the arrangement being such that after the rolls are placed in position the plate may be adjusted to secure at one operation the journals of the entire series of rolls from being lifted out of place.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurel represents a vertical cross-section through a mapcase provided with my improvements, a number of rolls being removed in order to expose the supporting-plate to view. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal vertical section of the case on the line a: x of Fig. l. Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional elevations on an enlarged scale, showing the manner in which the rolls are inserted and secured.

A represents the case or cabinet, having, as usual, an open front and bottom, to admit of the maps being extended downward therefrom.

B B represent horizontal rolls mounted vin the case, each roll having amap, C, attached to its upper edge, in order that the map may be wound thereon. Each of these rolls contains an actuatingspring,to cause the winding ofthe map when it is released, and an automatic locking mechanism, to prevent the rotation when the map is extended. This spring and lock- (No model.)

ing mechanism may he of the same construction as those in either of the curtain-rolls commonly sold in the market at thepresent dayfor example, the well-known Hartshorn roll.

D andE represent two vertical metallic plates fixed to the inside of the case or cabinet at its two ends, and each provided with a series of sockets or openings, a, to receive the journals or pivots of the respective rolls B.

The plate D may be fixed rmly in position and provided with round sockets to receive the journals or pivots. The plate E has its sockets formed with studs projecting from the inner face and openat the upper edge, so that the roll-j ournals may loe dropped therein from the upper side. The plate E is maintained in position by horizontal pins or screws f, on which it may slide horizontally, and is acted upon by adjusting screws G, which pass through the ends of the case and bear against the plate, as shown. When the rolls are to be inserted, the screwsG are loosened and the plate permitted to approach the end of the case, in which posit-ion it allows the roll-journals to be slipped downward into their sockets, as indicated in Fig. 3. After the rolls are in position the screws G are turned and the plate E advanced until the roll-j ournals project through or engage within the plate, as shown in Fig. 4, in such manner that they are prevented from rising out of the sockets.

It will thus be seen that by simply adjustingthe plate E the entire series of rolls is locked in position simultaneously. The essence of my invention in this regard consists in combining with the rolls an adjustable supporting-plate, by which they may be locked in position, and it is manifest that the form of this plate and the arrangement of devices for effecting its adjust-ment may be modified within the range of mechanical skill without departing from the limits of my invention.

I commonly construct each ofthe supporting-plates, at the forward edge, with aseries of notches to receive the projecting ends of bars fixed to the lower edges of the maps, this construction limiting the swinging action and presenting the edges ofthe maps one below another, that they may be conveniently grasped and that the legend thereon may be exposed to view.

IOO

VVhiie I have described the plate E as being adjustable,it will of course be understood that the same results may be secured by fixing the plate E rigidly in position and adjusting the plate D, in. order to force the roll-journals endwise into engagement with plate E.

It Will be observed that in my structure the journals of the rolls have their bearings se cured against surfaces which are not capable of rotation, and that the rotation of the journais has no tendency whatever to loosen the parts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. In a map-case, the combination of an external ease or cabinet, tivo internal end plates, each provided with a series of sockets or bearings for the journals of the rolls, and means, substantially as described, for adjusting one of said plates to and from the other, whereby the entire series of rolls maybe locked in position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my 35 hand, this 11th day of March, 1886, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

THOMAS KANE.

NVit-nesses:

H. SHEFFEY ROLLER, D. B. HENToN. 

